Sydney Harbour Bridge is an enduring icon in Australia and famous across the world. It is the tallest steel arch bridge in the world revealing a spectacular feat of engineering. It is 134 metres high and of course a signature attraction of Sydney.
History of Sydney Harbour Bridge
Effectionately called as the ‘Coathanger,’ the Sydney Harbour Bridge was formally opened on 19 March 1932, Saturday, by Premier Jack Lang to connect northern shore with the southern one of the harbour. Even though the constructed started in 1924 but a proposal came first time in 1815 by Francis Greenway. About 1,400 men worked for about eight years to build the bridge. More than 50,000 tonnes of steel and six million hand driven rivets were used in building the bridge.
Transport on Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a daily orientation point for millions. It is an important transport line for Sydneysiders. It connects two major commercial centres of Sydney by carrying rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. A data of 2010 revealed average daily traffic included 204 trains, 160435 vehicles and 1650 bicycles.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Tourism
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has always been a tourist attraction, even during its construction period. The south-east pylon accessed via the pedestrian walkway across the bridge is one of the ongoing tourist attractions. Climbing to the top of the pylon covering two hundred steps is another point of interest.
Train Journey Over Sydney Harbour Bridge
Circular Quay is the closest railway station to the bridge on the CBD side (Sydney central business district). On the North Shore side the Milsons Point railways station is nearest. One can take either a train or a ferry between the two ends. There are two railway tracks over the bridge.
Walking Across Sydney Harbour Bridge
The walking tour guided by the staff of Sydney Harbour Bridge is of 2.5 kilometers and takes about an hour to cover it without any stopping in between. Pedestrians can only walk via a footpath.
Below is the cost of crossing Harbour Bridge:
Weekdays
6:30am – 9:30am – $4
9:30am – 4pm – $3
4pm – 7pm – $4
7pm – 6:30am – $2.50
Weekends and Public Holidays
8am – 8pm – $3
8pm – 8am – $2.5
Note: No toll is charged for traveling northbound on the Bridge or in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
Climbing On Sydney Harbour Bridge
The outer arch of Sydney Harbour Bridge takes about 3.5 hours to climb in a guided journey by the staff in a group of up to 14 people. The arch span is 503 metres.
Cycling/Biking On Sydney Harbour Bridge
The cycleway on the western side of the bridge is only for bike. The southern terminus of the cycleway is close to the Sydney Observatory on the northern terminus it is at Burton Street, Milsons Point, below the railway station. To access the path at this point riders need to take 55 steps of staircase.
Maintenance
The Sydney Harbour Bridge requires constant inspections and maintenance to keep it safe for the public. Painters, carpenters, ironworkers, fitters, boilermakers, electricians, plasterers, plumbers and riggers are some of the trades regularly employed to protect the bridge and most noticeable work involves painting.
